The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced a major reform at the Ghana Passport Office, introducing day, night, and dawn shifts for staff to ensure a faster and more efficient service.
Speaking at the passport headquarters in Accra, Ablakwa emphasized that the government’s goal is to ensure applicants receive their passports within a week of application.
“We want the passport administration in our country to become a 24-hour operation,” he stated after touring the facility.
“This year, you need to stand and get ready, prepare yourselves. We are going to run three shifts. We want to cut down on the waiting time for passports.”
He added that the initiative is part of the government’s broader 24-hour economy agenda aimed at job creation and improving public service delivery.
To support the reform, the government plans to expand storage facilities, data centers, and public amenities at the passport office.
Ablakwa also revealed upcoming plans to introduce chip-embedded passports and integrate passport data with the National Identification Authority to streamline verification.
Additionally, passport fees will be revised, reducing costs for ordinary applicants while increasing fees for premium services.
“The announcement is a significant step towards modernizing Ghana’s administrative services and reinforcing the country’s commitment to a more efficient, tech-driven, and accessible public sector,” Ablakwa noted.
